Why It Matters: Oregon’s law-abiding hunters and shooters have long played a vital role in funding conservation and wildlife management efforts throughout the state. Under the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a unique “user pays – public benefits” structure, Oregon’s sportsmen and women generate tens of millions of dollars each year for the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. These funds are generated through license sales and a 10-11% federal excise tax on sporting-related goods, including firearm purchases. If implemented, Measure 114 will impact conservation funding in the state by decreasing the tax revenue available for wildlife management and conservation.
Highlights:
- On February 9th, the Oregon Supreme Court denied the Oregon Attorney General’s petition to overturn Harney County Judge Raschio’s injunction to allow Measure 114 to go into effect. As a result, Measure 114 will remain on hold while both state and federal legal challenges are underway.
- By a margin of less than 1.5%, Oregon voters narrowly passed Measure 114 on the November 2023 ballot. As drafted, Measure 114 would ban all standard capacity magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds and would require an exhaustive permitting process to purchase a firearm.
- The Sportsmen Opposed to Gun Violence Coalition, a group of over 20 national and state organizations led by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and the Oregon Hunters Association, opposed the measure before passage and continues to meet weekly in pursuit of legislative and legal options. Recently, members of the Coalition submitted an Amicus Brief in support of the NSSF-backed federal litigation.
On February 9th, the Oregon Supreme Court denied a request by the Oregon Attorney General that asked the Court to overturn a decision by lower court Judge Raschio that temporarily blocks the implementation of Measure 114. As a result of the decision, Measure 114 will remain on hold while state and federal legal challenges are underway.
Measure 114 was narrowly passed by voters by a margin of less than 1.5% on the November 2023 ballot. If implemented, Measure 114 would ban all standard capacity magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds and require a permit to purchase a firearm. The sportsmen’s community mobilized in response to the initiative, with over 20 national and state organizations joining together as the Sportsmen Opposed to Gun Violence Coalition, which quickly became one of the largest opposition campaigns in the state. Led by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and Oregon Hunters Association, the Coalition is continuing to meet weekly in pursuit of legal and legislative options.
Recently, members of the Coalition filed an amicus brief in support of Eyre vs. Rosenblum, a federal lawsuit backed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and Oregon Shooting Sports Association (OSSA). This lawsuit, which has been combined with three other federal lawsuits before U.S. District Court Judge Immergut, contends that Measure 114’s permitting requirement is unconstitutionally burdensome as it impedes the Second Amendment-protected right to own firearms and doesn’t provide historical justification for the restriction.
The ongoing Sportsmen Opposed to Gun Violence Coalition remains focused on legal and legislative efforts and is comprised of the following organizations: Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Oregon Hunters Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Sportsmen’s Alliance, Safari Club International, Mule Deer Foundation, Dallas Safari Club, National Deer Association, Oregon United Sporting Dogs Association, Oregon Trappers Association, Hunting Works for Oregon, National Trappers Association, Furtakers of America, Oregon Angler Alliance, Oregon Outdoor Council, Oregon Wild Sheep Foundation, Oregon Association of Shooting Ranges, Oregon State Shooting Association, Oregon Arms Collectors, and Oregon Gun Owners. More information on the Coalition and the initiative can be found at www.SportsmenNo114.org.
